15. Get prepared to speak on human resource management and related issues, namely:

• What is HRM

• The purpose of HRM

• Distinctions between personnel management and HRM

• HRM’s strategic function

• The need for organizational flexibility and innovation

16. Write a paragraph on one of the issues.

• Internal strengths and weaknesses of an organization

• External opportunities and threats to organizations

Role-playing

Study with your partner the three groups of questions which can be asked during an interview. One of you is a personnel/HR manager, the other is an interviewee. Practice the interview by asking/answering the questions.

General questions: Tell me about yourself. How would others describe you? What motivates you? Are you mobile enough?

Competency Questions: 1. Describe a situation when you ... have overcome a difficult situation. How? have demonstrated good relationship skills came up against those in authority achieved something Describe a time when you ... had an important decision to make have lead a team worked as part of a team

Commercial awareness questions: How to save an organization money/to make money? Where do you see yourself in 5-year time? What are the strengths and weaknesses of our company? Why do you want to work for our company? Who else have you applied to?

Case-study/Project

Below are some tips from experienced interviewees – people who have been interviewed not once. Consider the items on the list and comment on them. Say which ones to your mind could you benefit from and why? Which tips would be useless or irrelevant in your case and for what reason?

Tips from experienced interviewees

1. Prepare for the interview well in advance. Prepare answers to obvious interview questions.

2. Thoroughly fill in your application form to remember it.

3. Get relaxed. It also helps to chat with the others being assessed before you begin.

4. You are given plenty of opportunities to demonstrate your key competencies and skills as well as to ask questions throughout the recruitment process.

5. HR managers keep asking similar questions again and again to check you are telling the truth.  They appear to be checking what you have written on your application form and CV, trying to ensure it is true.

6. Don’t panic when they fire the questions at you.  The questions seem to be based on your application and your knowledge of the organisation. They are checking if you fit in with their business.

7. Think in advance about why you want to work for the organisation and why you are suitable.

8. They give you a time to arrive at the answers but actual interview times are staggered.